The
month of May is home, if you ask me, to one of the most important days on the
calendar. May 4-8 marks Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the
outstanding educators w​ho spend each day shaping our children’s lives -- and to
remember all those who played a role in shaping us.

This, to
us, is a very special time of recognition -- so we plan to celebrate for the
entire month of May, rather than just one week. I encourage all Georgians to
visit bit.ly/gadoethankateacher and download a special note of appreciation to
send to your own favorite teacher. Then, snap a photo of your note and share it
using the hashtag #thankagateacher.

A note
to the teachers who are reading: I know that your work is far from easy. I know
there are increasing demands on your time. I know there are many who don’t
understand all that you do. I know that gratitude and recognition can be far
too infrequent.

I hope,
however, that you know and understand the incredible importance of the role you
play. I hope you know that you are changing students’ lives. I hope you know,
even when the days are long and the challenges are great, that there is a
student in your classroom today who will remember you long after they have
moved on from their schooling, long after the tassel has been turned and the
next chapter of life has begun.

This is
the way I remember my own teachers. I would not be the person I am -- and I
never would have become a teacher myself -- without them. I know other
Georgians have similar stories, and I hope those stories will be shared
throughout this month.

On
behalf of all Georgians, I say thank you!

Richard Woods, a 22-year public school educator and
former small business owner, is Georgia’s School Superintendent.